Brussels, 27/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 24 May, the Spanish Presidency issued the following statement on behalf of the European Union:
"The EU is deeply concerned by the recent intensified fighting in Liberia and is convinced that the use of force in this country can only lead to a further destabilisation, also at a subregional level, and increase the suffering of the population. The European Union condemns the attempts by armed rebel groups to take power in Liberia by the use of force and calls upon neighbouring countries not to support them. The European Union encourages all local and regional mediation efforts leading to an immediate end to fighting and supports the intensification of the dialogue undertaken by the Mano River Union, ECOWAS and civil society organisations. The European Union particularly welcomes ECOWAS' call for a cease-fire made by heads of state and government at Yamoussoukro on 17 May 2002. The EU calls for all parties to ensure that humanitarian initiatives are protected and that civilians are not affected by the military operations. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries Norway and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.